Jiang Qichen leads cross‑party delegation to Asia‑Pacific Parliament Conference; Chen stresses democratic supply chain.

Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang officially led a cross-party parliamentary delegation abroad today to attend the highly anticipated annual General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union (APPU). On this important international parliamentary diplomacy stage, the Taiwan delegation not only actively participated in various agendas, but Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting also delivered a pivotal national report on behalf of the ROC government and parliament. The report clearly conveyed Taiwan's latest developments to representatives from various Asia-Pacific countries in attendance, while elucidating Taiwan's firm stance and concrete practices regarding regional security, economic development, and democratic values amidst the current complex geopolitical environment.

The core of the national report delivered by Chen particularly emphasized that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded countries globally in the future, with the construction and consolidation of "democratic supply chains" being of paramount importance. Facing the drastic shifts in global geopolitics and the expansion of authoritarianism in recent years, Taiwan, as an important frontline member of the democratic camp, remains committed to ensuring the security and resilience of critical industries and supply chains. Through close connections with democratic partners, Taiwan aims not only to secure its own economic safety but also to collaborate with regional stakeholders to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, building a foundation for sustainable and prosperous development for the next generation.

The Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union has long served as a crucial platform for parliamentarians across the Asia-Pacific to conduct transnational exchanges and promote regional cooperation. As one of the founding member states, Taiwan has long utilized this channel to actively participate in international parliamentary diplomacy and break through limitations on its diplomatic space. The Legislative Yuan's formation of a cross-party delegation to attend this meeting fully demonstrates the high degree of consensus among the ruling and opposition parties in defending national interests and expanding international survival space when facing major issues such as foreign affairs and national security. Joint visits by legislators from different political backgrounds not only showcase Taiwan's diverse and vibrant democracy to the international community, but also send a strong message of solidarity and a unified front from Taiwan's parliament to the outside world, transcending party lines.

In recent years, as the Indo-Pacific region has become the core hotspot of global strategic competition, Taiwan's geostrategic position and critical economic role within it have increasingly garnered high attention from the international community. From the global deployment of the semiconductor high-tech industry to the practice of democratic values and the sharing of experiences in countering disinformation, Taiwan has long been an indispensable key partner in the international democratic supply chain. Through this official address at the APPU General Assembly, Taiwan once again clarified to Asia-Pacific nations its determination to shoulder greater regional responsibilities, emphasizing that only through solidarity and cooperation among democratic nations can the region effectively address various traditional and non-traditional security challenges it currently faces.

Looking ahead, the advancement of Taiwan's parliamentary diplomacy will place greater emphasis on the exercise of substantive functions and the consolidation of value alliances. Chiang's delegation trip and Chen's delivery of the national report not only secured greater understanding and support for Taiwan from like-minded countries in the Asia-Pacific region, but also laid a more solid foundation for future parliamentary diplomacy. Amidst the rapidly changing international situation, Taiwan continues to participate in international affairs with pragmatic and steady steps, proving to the world that Taiwan is not only a key force in maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, but also a reliable partner in promoting prosperity and democratic development in the Asia-Pacific region.